Introduction

Denise Plante (Host): Our next award is the Invisible No More Perseverance Award, and the 2021 recipient is David Moody. Congratulations, David. David was actually chosen based upon his amazing perseverance and courage as he lived through overwhelming fear, anxiety, guilt, even shame from unspeakable impact of childhood sexual abuse and the subsequent years of post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD. He also has panic attacks.

Now, despite a difficult and slow, painful journey to recovery, while in the process, David was able to build a highly successful construction company. Now, David decided to share his story publicly. With all of the struggles and the triumphs, in order to encourage others on their personal life journeys also impacted by trauma, anxiety, pain and abuse. Congratulations, David.

David Moody’s Acceptance Speech

Hello. And I just want to say thank you to the Invisible Disabilities Association for giving me the Perseverance Award. And, you know, I never thought about it until I read it about the invisible disabilities and being a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and dealing with anxiety and panic attacks and a complete breakdown and suffering in silence. I didn’t realize that in reality, which is true, I had an invisible disability, and that’s why I share my story for so many others.

Turning Trauma into Triumph

Because I don’t want anyone to suffer in silence, and I want everyone to know we can turn trauma into the trial. I got a tattoo to match it: turn trauma into the trial. So let’s turn this around. Let’s continue to help others. Let’s not give up hope.

Overcoming Adversity and Moving Forward

We all will be knocked to our knees. But we’re all so much stronger than we realize. We will get up. Thank you so much for this award.

Denise Plante (Host): Thank you David, and congratulations. That is what the Invisible Disabilities Awards are all about. Truly.